Ukraine’s NASAMS Crews Shoot Down 11 Russian Missiles in Under Two Minutes as Iraq Receives New Airbus Helicopters
In a striking show of precision and speed, Ukrainian air defence crews recently intercepted 11 Russian cruise missiles in under two minutes using NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems). The operation, which Ukrainian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Kyrylo Peretyatko described as potentially a world record for reload speed, highlights the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s defensive capabilities amid the ongoing war.
The feat took place during a mass Russian aerial attack, though the exact date of the engagement remains undisclosed. In a video released on 27 April, Peretyatko emphasized the efficiency and determination of Ukraine’s forces, stating that such rapid response is becoming routine. "We probably broke all records of other countries," he said, "and we are ready to keep doing it constantly to defend our country, as long as we have the missiles.”
NASAMS, developed jointly by the United States and Norway, have been operational in Ukraine since late 2022. These systems use the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, commonly deployed on Western fighter jets, and can engage targets up to 50 kilometres away depending on the configuration. The system's mobility, precision, and fast response time have made it an essential part of Ukraine’s layered air defence network, especially in the face of increasing missile and drone assaults from Russia.
Ukraine has consistently appealed for more air defence systems from Western allies. President Volodymyr Zelensky has even offered to buy U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries, although that offer was declined by former President Donald Trump. Despite this, Ukraine's forces continue to perform remarkably well with the systems they do have. Just last week, Ukrainian air defence reportedly downed over 230 drones, 442 Shahed loitering munitions, 31 cruise missiles, seven Iskander ballistic missiles, and several Kalibr and Kh-59 missiles.
While Ukraine continues to defend its skies with cutting-edge systems, Iraq has taken a significant step in upgrading its own air capabilities. On 30 April, Airbus announced the delivery of the first two H225M Caracal multi-role helicopters to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence. This marks the beginning of a 12-helicopter deal signed in September 2024.
The H225M Caracal helicopters will be used for various missions in Iraq, including troop and equipment transport and support for special operations. These helicopters are equipped with the HForce system, which allows integration of externally mounted weapons, boosting their combat capability. The new Caracals are expected to eventually replace the older Mi-17 helicopters currently used by Iraqi forces.
With security concerns still present in several parts of Iraq, especially from internal militant groups, the introduction of modern, multi-role helicopters is seen as a crucial step in strengthening operational readiness. Iraq has been steadily modernizing its armed forces, and Airbus has been a key partner in this effort. Prior to this delivery, Iraq had received 24 H135 helicopters from Airbus, used primarily for reconnaissance, liaison, and ground support roles.
As both Ukraine and Iraq continue to navigate complex security landscapes, their investment in modern, flexible defence technology underscores a broader trend: smaller and mid-sized nations are increasingly relying on advanced Western systems to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
